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Statement

Moms Urge U.S. Senators to Vote ‘No’ on Hegseth for Secretary of Defense

January 24, 2025

Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996

Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and CEO of MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on the pending U.S. Senate vote on the nomination of Pete Hegseth to serve as U.S. Secretary of Defense:

“It is hard to contemplate a candidate more unfit, unqualified, and problematic to serve as U.S. Secretary of Defense than Pete Hegseth. Hegseth has made numerous comments about women and moms serving in the military that are disrespectful, sexist, ignorant, insulting and truly outrageous. There are credible allegations that he has committed sexual assault and domestic violence and that he has a history of serious alcohol abuse and financial mismanagement. He is not only utterly unqualified, he has clearly exercised horrible judgment time and again. He is a danger to our country.

“For U.S. Senators to vote to confirm Pete Hegseth in the face of all that would be an irresponsible dereliction of duty. Every U.S. Senator should put the country’s best interest ahead of any fear about being challenged in their next election, refuse to be bullied, and vote ‘no’ on Hegseth’s confirmation.”

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, stop discrimination against women and moms, and build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: www.MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.